Brewing device and beverage machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a brewing device and a beverage machine. The brewing device comprises a frame and a brewing barrel, a piston and a channel piece which are supported by the frame. And a brewing chamber with an open upper end is arranged in the brewing cylinder. The channel piece is provided with a sliding groove, and the sliding groove guides brewing powder or particles to slide downwards and backwards into the brewing chamber. The brewing device is provided with a width direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the front-back direction, and a section cutting plane which is orthogonal to the width direction and approximately passes through the middle of the brewing chamber and the inner surface of the sliding groove are provided with a sliding groove intersecting line. In the process that the brewing powder or particles slide into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or particles fall at the blanking point of the sliding groove and leave the sliding groove at the separation point, and the included angle alpha between the tangent line of the sliding groove intersection line at the blanking point and the vertical direction is smaller than the included angle beta between the tangent line of the sliding groove intersection line at the separation point and the vertical direction. According to the brewing device and the beverage machine, the problem that brewing powder or particles are prone to being scattered outside the brewing chamber can be solved, and the quality of manufactured beverages can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of beverage equipment, and in particular, to a brewing device and a beverage machine. Background Art

[0002] A brewing device can be used to make beverages such as coffee. Some brewing devices include a brewing cylinder, and a brewing chamber is provided inside the brewing cylinder. Brewing powder or granules, such as coffee powder or granules, can be added to the brewing chamber from the upper end of the brewing chamber. After adding enough brewing powder or granules to the brewing chamber, the brewing chamber can be closed, and then, a liquid flows through the brewing powder or granules located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage.

[0003] Some brewing devices include a channel member, and a chute is provided on the channel member. During the process of adding brewing powder or granules, the chute guides the brewing powder or granules to slide downwards and backwards into the brewing chamber. The phenomenon that the brewing powder or granules spill outside the brewing chamber is found in such brewing devices. The spilled brewing powder or granules will be wasted, which will increase the production cost of the beverage. In addition, the spilled brewing powder or granules will dirty the equipment or the environment, which will deteriorate the use experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present disclosure provides a brewing device and a beverage machine, aiming to solve the problem that brewing powder or granules are likely to spill outside the brewing chamber.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a brewing device, which includes a frame, and a brewing cylinder, a piston and a channel member directly or indirectly supported by the frame. A brewing chamber with an open upper end is provided inside the brewing cylinder. By the relative movement between the brewing cylinder and the piston, the piston can extend into the brewing chamber from the upper end of the brewing chamber to close the brewing chamber. The channel member is provided with a chute, and the chute guides the brewing powder or granules to slide downwards and backwards into the brewing chamber. A liquid flows through the brewing powder or granules located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage. The brewing device has a width direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction, and a cross-section orthogonal to the width direction and passing through the middle of the brewing chamber has a chute intersection line with the inner surface of the chute. During the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or granules land at a feeding point of the chute and leave the chute at a separation point, and the angle α between the tangent line of the chute intersection line at the feeding point and the up-down direction is smaller than the angle β between the tangent line of the chute intersection line at the separation point and the up-down direction.

[0006] According to this structure of the chute, the chute will have a relatively steep upper part and a relatively gentle lower part. On the one hand, the relatively steep upper part can help the brewing powder or particles obtain a relatively large speed by gravity during the sliding process. On the other hand, the relatively gentle lower part can help reduce the angle between the speed direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute and the front-back direction. Combining the effects of these two aspects, the brewing powder or particles will have a relatively large speed component in the front-back direction when leaving the chute, which can help raise the height of the impact point on the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber impacted by the brewing powder or particles, thereby helping the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the rear in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber. The brewing powder or particles stacked in the middle in the front-back direction can make full use of the space in the brewing chamber, thus avoiding spilling outside the brewing chamber due to excessive stacking. At the same time, the brewing powder or particles stacked in the middle in the front-back direction will not rely on the channel member, so they will not spill outside the brewing chamber due to the removal of the channel member. At the same time, by stacking the brewing powder or particles in the middle in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber, it can help the compressed brewing powder or particles to have a relatively uniform density, thereby helping the beverage to obtain better quality. The brewing powder or particles stacked at the rear will not rely on the channel member, so they will not spill outside the brewing chamber due to the removal of the channel member. In addition, considering that the slag pushing member is located above the brewing cylinder and surrounds the rear part of the brewing cylinder, this makes it so that even if the brewing powder or particles stacked at the rear are relatively high, they will not spill outside the brewing chamber due to the presence of the slag pushing member.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the cross-section plane and the inner surface of the brewing chamber have a brewing chamber intersection line, and the tangent line of the chute intersection line at the separation point intersects with the brewing chamber intersection line, and the ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber is less than or equal to one-third.

[0008] The tangent line direction of the chute intersection line at the separation point determines the initial velocity direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute. Considering the influence of gravity, the impact point of the brewing powder or particles will be slightly lower than the intersection point of the tangent line of the chute intersection line at the separation point and the brewing chamber intersection line. Setting the height of the intersection point relatively high, that is, setting the ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber to be less than or equal to one-third, can help the impact point obtain a relatively high position, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the rear in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the chute intersection line includes an arc portion extending from or through the material dropping point to the separation point, and the arc portion is configured to gradually bend backward as it goes downward.

[0010] According to this structure of the chute, the angle α between the tangent line of the chute intersection line at the blanking point and the vertical direction will be smaller than the angle β between the tangent line of the chute intersection line at the separation point and the vertical direction. This can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber. In addition, this structure of the chute makes the chute have a continuous and smooth inner surface, which can help reduce the frictional resistance suffered by the brewing powder or particles during the sliding process, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to obtain a relatively large speed and reduce the risk of the brewing powder particles staying in the chute.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the curvature of the arc portion gradually increases downward.

[0012] According to this structure of the chute, the upper part of the chute will be steeper, which can help the brewing powder or particles to obtain a relatively large speed during the sliding process, and further can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the angle α is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

[0014] According to the above value of the angle α, the brewing powder or particles can smoothly slide downward and obtain a relatively large speed after falling to the blanking point, and further can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the angle β is greater than or equal to 40 degrees.

[0016] The above structure of the chute can help reduce the angle between the velocity direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute and the front-back direction, and further can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the chute intersection line further includes a straight portion, the arc portion extends downward from the lower end of the straight portion, the straight portion is configured to incline backward upward, and the angle γ between the straight portion and the vertical direction is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

[0018] The chute with such a structure has many advantages. On the one hand, according to this structure of the chute, even if the brewing powder or particles fall on the part of the chute corresponding to the straight portion, the brewing powder or particles can smoothly slide downward and obtain a relatively large speed. On the other hand, the relatively steep straight portion makes the connected arc portion also relatively steep, which can further help the brewing powder to obtain a relatively large speed during the sliding process.

[0019] In combination with the current implementation, further, the brewing device further includes a feeder having a feeding channel for guiding brewing powder or granules into the chute. The channel member is pivotally mounted to the feeder so as to be able to pivot away from the piston.

[0020] During the process of the channel member pivoting away from the piston, the portion of the channel member defining the straight portion can form a rotational clearance space with the feeder to prevent the feeder from obstructing the pivoting movement of the channel member.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the chute is configured to gradually narrow in the width direction as it extends downward.

[0022] According to this configuration of the chute, as the brewing powder or granules slide down in the chute, the brewing powder or granules will gather or concentrate under the guidance of the chute, which can help the brewing powder or granules slide smoothly into the brewing chamber and reduce the risk of the brewing powder or granules spilling outside the brewing chamber. In addition, according to this configuration of the chute, the sliding direction of the brewing powder or granules will be as close as possible to the diameter direction of the brewing cylinder, which helps the brewing powder or granules to be centrally distributed.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present disclosure also provides a brewing device. The brewing device includes a brewing cylinder and a channel member. The brewing cylinder is provided with a brewing chamber having an open upper end. The channel member is provided with a chute for guiding brewing powder or granules to slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber. Liquid flows through the brewing powder or granules located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage. It is characterized in that the chute is configured such that the brewing powder or granules are stacked in the brewing chamber substantially centrally or rearward in the front-rear direction.

[0024] According to the brewing device provided by the present disclosure, the brewing powder or granules are stacked substantially centrally or rearward in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber under the guidance of the chute, which helps to avoid or reduce the risk of the brewing powder or granules spilling outside the brewing chamber. In addition, by stacking the brewing powder or granules substantially centrally or rearward in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber, it can help the compressed brewing powder or granules to have a relatively uniform density, thereby helping the beverage to obtain a better quality.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the brewing device has a width direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the width direction and substantially passing through the middle of the brewing chamber has a chute intersection line with the inner surface of the chute, and the cross-sectional plane has a brewing chamber intersection line with the inner surface of the brewing chamber; during the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or granules leave the chute at the separation point, and the tangent of the chute intersection line at the separation point intersects with the brewing chamber intersection line, and the ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber is less than or equal to one-third.

[0026] The tangential direction of the chute intersection line at the separation point determines the initial velocity direction of the brewing powder or particles when they leave the chute. Considering the influence of gravity, the impact point of the brewing powder or particles will be slightly lower than the intersection point of the tangent of the chute intersection line at the separation point and the intersection line of the brewing chamber. Setting the height of the intersection point higher, that is, setting the ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber to be less than or equal to one-third, can help the impact point obtain a higher position, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber.

[0027] In a possible implementation, during the process of the brewing powder or particles sliding down into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or particles land at the material dropping point of the chute and leave the chute at the separation point; the chute intersection line includes an arc portion extending from or passing through the material dropping point to the separation point, and the arc portion is configured to gradually bend backward as it goes downward.

[0028] According to this structure of the chute, the angle α between the tangent of the chute intersection line at the material dropping point and the vertical direction will be smaller than the angle β between the tangent of the chute intersection line at the separation point and the vertical direction, which can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber. In addition, this structure of the chute makes the chute have a continuous and smooth inner surface, which can help reduce the frictional resistance suffered by the brewing powder or particles during the sliding process, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to obtain a larger speed and reduce the risk of the brewing powder particles staying in the chute.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the curvature of the arc portion gradually increases as it goes downward.

[0030] According to this structure of the chute, the upper part of the chute will be steeper, which can help the brewing powder or particles to obtain a larger speed during the sliding process, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber.

[0031] In a third aspect, the present disclosure also provides a brewing device. The brewing device includes a brewing cylinder and a channel member. The brewing cylinder is provided with a brewing chamber with an open upper end. The channel member is provided with a chute that guides the brewing powder or particles to slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber. Liquid flows through the brewing powder or particles located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage. It is characterized in that during the process of the brewing powder or particles sliding down into the brewing chamber, the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber has an impact point impacted by the brewing powder or particles, and the ratio H3 / H2 of the distance H3 from the impact landing point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber is less than or equal to one-third.

[0032] It is found that setting the impact point height relatively high, that is, setting the ratio H3 / H2 of the distance H3 from the impact point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber to be less than or equal to one-third, can help the brewing powder or granules to stack approximately centered or towards the rear in the front-rear direction within the brewing chamber. Therefore, this implementation method helps to avoid or reduce the risk of the brewing powder or granules spilling outside the brewing chamber, and can help the compressed brewing powder or granules to have a relatively uniform density, thereby helping the beverage to obtain a better quality.

[0033] Fourthly, the present disclosure also provides a beverage machine, which includes the brewing device provided in the above aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments.

[0035] It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as limiting the scope.

[0036] It should also be understood that the same or similar reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar elements in the drawings.

[0037] It should also be understood that the drawings are only schematic, and the sizes and proportions of the elements in the drawings are not necessarily accurate.

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a beverage machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a brewing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figures 3A to 3E is Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the brewing device in

[0041] Figure 4 schematically shows Figure 2 the chute intersection line and the brewing chamber intersection line of the brewing device in

[0042] Figure 5 is Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the A-A line in

[0043] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a brewing device according to Variant Example 1 of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a brewing device according to Variant Example 2 of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 8 Schematically shows the chute intersection line and the brewing chamber intersection line of the brewing device according to Variant Example 2 of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the brewing device according to Variant Example 3 of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 10 Schematically shows the chute intersection line and the brewing chamber intersection line of the brewing device according to Variant Example 3 of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the brewing device according to the related art. Detailed Embodiments

[0049] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described exemplarily below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that there can be multiple implementation manners of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The embodiments set forth herein are only for a more thorough and clear understanding of the present disclosure.

[0050] Exemplary beverage machine

[0051] The present disclosure provides a beverage machine 1000. For example, the beverage machine 1000 can be a coffee machine. Of course, the beverage machine 1000 is not limited to a coffee machine and can also be used to make other types of beverages. Refer to Figure 1 , the beverage machine 1000 can include a brewing device 100. In the example where the beverage machine 1000 is a coffee machine, continuing to refer to Figure 1 , the beverage machine 1000 can further include a grinding device 200 located above the brewing device 100. The grinding device 200 is used to grind coffee beans into coffee powder or granules and convey the ground coffee powder or granules to the brewing device 100.

[0052] Exemplary brewing device

[0053] The present disclosure provides a brewing device 100. The brewing device 100 is used to make beverages, such as coffee. The brewing device 100 can be used alone or as a functional unit in the beverage machine 1000. It can be understood that the brewing device 100 is not limited to making coffee and can also be used to make other types of beverages. The present disclosure does not make a special limitation on the type of beverage made by the brewing device 100.

[0054] Refer to Figure 2, the brewing device 100 may include a frame 10, a brewing cylinder 20, a channel member 30, a piston 40, a piston 50, a driving device 60, a transmission mechanism 70, a slag pushing member 80, and a feeder 90. The brewing cylinder 20, the channel member 30, the piston 40, the piston 50, the driving device 60, the transmission mechanism 70, the slag pushing member 80, and the feeder 90 may be directly or indirectly mounted on the frame 10 to be supported by the frame 10. For example, the piston 40 may be directly mounted on the frame 10. Also, for example, the feeder 90 may be directly mounted on the frame 10, and the channel member 30 may be mounted on the feeder 90 to be indirectly mounted on the frame 10. The piston 40 may be referred to as the upper piston 40, and the piston 50 may be referred to as the lower piston 50.

[0055] The driving device 60 is capable of outputting power, and the power is transmitted to the brewing cylinder 20 through the transmission mechanism 70, so that the brewing cylinder 20 moves in the up-down direction relative to the upper piston 30. For example, the driving device 60 may be a motor, and the transmission mechanism 70 may be a screw transmission mechanism. An upper-open brewing chamber 21 may be provided in the brewing cylinder 20, and the channel member 30 is provided with a chute 31. When the brewing cylinder 20 is in the centered position, the upper piston 40 is separated from the brewing cylinder 20, and the upper end of the brewing chamber 21 is open, and the brewing powder or granules can slide downwards and backwards into the brewing chamber 21 under the guidance of the chute 31. As the brewing cylinder 20 rises from the centered position to a higher position under driving, the lower end of the upper piston 40 extends into the brewing cylinder 20 to close the brewing chamber 21. The upper end of the lower piston 50 may extend into the brewing chamber 21 to close the bottom end of the brewing chamber 21. The bottom surface of the brewing chamber 21 may be defined by the top surface of the lower piston 50. As the brewing cylinder 20 moves between the centered position and the higher position, it will move the lower piston 50 together.

[0056] Flow paths are provided in both the upper piston 40 and the lower piston 50. When the brewing chamber 21 is closed, brewing liquid (such as hot water) can flow into the brewing chamber 21 through the flow path of the lower piston 50 to brew the powder or granules in the brewing chamber 21 to obtain a beverage. The brewed beverage can flow out of the brewing chamber 21 through the flow path in the upper piston 40. The brewed beverage can be directly taken for drinking, or can be drunk after further processing.

[0057] The feeder 90 may have a feeding channel 91 in a funnel shape with a large upper end and a small lower end. The powder or granules to be brewed can be poured into the feeder 90 from above the feeder 90. In an example where the brewing device 100 is applied to a coffee machine, a grinding device 200 may be provided above the feeder 90, and the feeder 90 may be used to receive coffee powder or coffee granules from the grinding device 200 and deliver the coffee powder or coffee granules to the channel member 30. In one example, the channel member 30 may be pivotally mounted on the feeder 90 to be able to pivot away from the piston 40, thereby avoiding the movement of the brewing cylinder 20 or the upper piston 40.

[0058] After the brewing is completed, the brewing cylinder 20 will descend together with the lower piston 50. After descending a certain distance, the lower piston 50 is blocked and stops. As the brewing cylinder 20 descends to a lower position, the lower piston 50 will push the waste residue out of the brewing cylinder 20. Then, the residue pushing member 80 is driven to pivot, and further pushes the waste residue, so that the waste residue falls from the top of the brewing cylinder 20.

[0059] The overall structure of the brewing device 100 has been briefly described above. Next, in combination with Figures 3A to 3E an example will be given to illustrate the working process of the brewing device 100.

[0060] In Figure 3A , the brewing cylinder 20 is in the centered position, the upper end of the brewing chamber 21 is open, and the brewing powder or granules are guided by the chute 31 and slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber 21. In combination with Figure 3B , as more and more brewing powder or granules fall into the brewing chamber 21, the brewing powder or granules accumulate in the brewing chamber 21.

[0061] After the addition of the brewing powder or granules is completed, the channel member 30 can be pivoted manually or mechanically from the position in Figure 3B to the position in Figure 3C to avoid the rising brewing cylinder 20. At the same time, the brewing cylinder 20 can be driven by the driving device 60 to rise from the centered position in Figure 3B to the higher position in Figure 3C , so that the upper piston 40 extends into the brewing chamber 21 to close the brewing chamber 21 and compress the brewing powder or granules. Then, the brewing liquid can be controlled to flow through the compressed brewing powder or granules to make a beverage.

[0062] After the beverage is made, the brewing cylinder 20 can be driven by the driving device 60 to descend from the higher position in Figure 3C to the lower position in Figure 3D , so that the brewing cylinder 200 moves downward relative to the lower piston 50. During this process, the lower piston 50 will lift the waste residue (i.e., the brewed brewing powder or granules) to push the waste residue out of the brewing chamber 21, so that the waste residue is located at the top of the brewing cylinder 20.

[0063] After the waste residue is pushed out of the brewing chamber 21, the residue pushing member 80 can be driven to pivot. Referring to Figure 3D and Figure 3E , as the residue pushing member 80 pivots, the residue pushing member 80 pushes the waste residue, so that the waste residue falls from the top of the brewing cylinder 20. Finally, the brewing cylinder 20 can be driven by the driving device 60 to rise again to the centered position in Figure 3A to complete a complete working process.

[0064] Due to considerations such as brewing efficiency, a large amount of brewing powder or particles is usually added to the brewing chamber during the one-time addition process, which leads to the problem of the brewing powder or particles spilling outside the brewing chamber. The spilled brewing powder or particles will be wasted, which will increase the production cost of the beverage. In addition, the spilled brewing powder or particles will dirty the equipment or environment, which will deteriorate the user experience.

[0065] The problem of foaming powder or particles spilling outside the brewing chamber has always troubled people in the relevant field. After careful research, the inventor found that this problem is related to the way the foaming powder or particles are stacked in the brewing chamber. Specifically, refer to Figure 11 In the brewing device provided by the related art, the foaming powder or granules are stacked forward in the brewing chamber 21z. On the one hand, the foaming powder or granules stacked forward cannot fully utilize the space in the brewing chamber 21z, resulting in a large unoccupied space at the rear of the brewing chamber 21z, and the foaming powder or granules are piled too high in the front of the brewing chamber 21z. The foaming powder or granules piled too high are easy to fall outside the brewing chamber 21. On the other hand, the foaming powder or granules piled too high and forward may rely on the channel member 30z, so that after the channel member 30z is removed, this part of the foaming powder or granules will lose their support and fall outside the brewing chamber 21z.

[0066] To avoid or reduce the risk of spilling brewing powder or granules outside the brewing room, refer to Figure 3B (or, Figure 6 , Figure 7B or Figure 9B ), the slide groove 31 (or, the slide groove 31a, 31b or 31c) provided in the present disclosure is configured to guide the brewing powder or particles to slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber 21, so that the brewing powder or particles are stacked approximately in the center or toward the back in the brewing chamber 21 in the front-to-back direction.

[0067] By stacking the brewing powder or granules roughly in the center or at the back in the front-to-back direction in the brewing chamber 21, it can help avoid or reduce the risk of the brewing powder or granules spilling outside the brewing chamber 21. In addition, by stacking the brewing powder or granules roughly in the center or at the back in the front-to-back direction in the brewing chamber 21, it can help the compressed brewing powder or granules have a more uniform density, thereby helping the beverage to obtain better quality.

[0068] Specifically, refer to Figure 3B (or, Figure 7B or Figure 9B) When the brewing powder or granules are stacked in the center in the front-rear direction, the space in the brewing chamber 21 can be fully utilized, thus avoiding spilling outside the brewing chamber 21 due to excessive stacking. At the same time, the brewing powder or granules stacked in the center in the front-rear direction will not rely on the channel member 30, so they will not spill outside the brewing chamber due to the removal of the channel member 30. At the same time, by stacking the brewing powder or granules in the center in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber 21, it can help the compressed brewing powder or granules to have a relatively uniform density, thereby helping the beverage to obtain better quality.

[0069] Reference Figure 5 , the brewing powder or granules stacked at the rear will not rely on the channel member 30, so they will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the removal of the channel member 30. In addition, considering that the slag pushing member 80 is located above the brewing cylinder 20 and surrounds the rear part of the brewing cylinder 20, even if the brewing powder or granules stacked at the rear are relatively high, they will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the presence of the slag pushing member 80.

[0070] Looking at the present disclosure from another perspective, referring to 3A (or, Figure 7A or Figure 9A ), during the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding into the brewing chamber 21, the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber 21 has an impact point P1 impacted by the brewing powder or granules. The ratio H3 / H2 of the distance H3 from the impact point P1 to the top of the brewing chamber 21 to the height H2 of the brewing chamber 21 can be less than or equal to one-third.

[0071] Research has found that setting the height of the impact point P1 relatively high, that is, setting the ratio H3 / H2 of the distance H3 from the impact point P1 to the top of the brewing chamber 21 to the height H2 of the brewing chamber 21 to be less than or equal to one-third, can help the brewing powder or granules to be stacked approximately in the center or at the rear in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber 21. Therefore, this implementation method helps to avoid or reduce the risk of the brewing powder or granules spilling outside the brewing chamber 21, and can help the compressed brewing powder or granules to have a relatively uniform density, thereby helping the beverage to obtain better quality.

[0072] The relatively high impact point P1 can help the brewing powder or granules to be stacked approximately in the center or at the rear in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber 21, which is related to the stacking process of the brewing powder or granules in the brewing chamber 21. In the initial stage of the stacking process, referring to Figure 3A , the sliding brewing powder or granules will fall at the impact point P1, and a part of the brewing powder or granules will bounce forward after impact, which makes the top surface of the brewing powder or granule pile gradually slope downward as it moves forward. After the top of the brewing powder or granule pile is level with the impact point, as more brewing powder or granules slide into the brewing chamber 21, the top of the brewing powder or granule pile will gradually move forward, and the brewing powder or granules will gradually slide forward and downward to fill the front part of the brewing chamber 21. Finally, referring toFigure 3B After adding enough brewing powder or granules into the brewing chamber 21, a pile of brewing powder or granules with a top roughly centered or towards the rear will be obtained.

[0073] It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the phrase "the brewing powder or granules are piled up roughly centered or towards the rear in the brewing chamber" should be understood relatively broadly. For example, this phrase can mean that the pile of brewing powder or granules after piling up does not rely on the channel member. Another example, referring to Figure 3B (or, Figure 6 、 Figure 7B or Figure 9B ), this phrase can mean that the ratio D1 / D2 of the distance D1 from the top of the pile of brewing powder or granules to the front end of the brewing chamber to the dimension D2 in the front-rear direction of the brewing chamber is greater than or equal to 40%.

[0074] Next, in combination with Figures 3A to 10 , the embodiments and variants of the present disclosure will be described one by one.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 4 , the brewing device 100 has a width direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the width direction and roughly passing through the middle of the brewing chamber 21 has a chute intersection line L1 with the inner surface of the chute 31. For example, the brewing chamber 21 can be cylindrical, and the center line of the cylinder can be located on this cross-sectional plane. During the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding into the brewing chamber 21, the brewing powder or granules land at the material dropping point P2 of the chute 21 and leave the chute 31 at the separation point P3 (for example, the lower end point of the chute 31). The tangent of the chute intersection line L1 at the material dropping point P2 has an angle α with the up-down direction, and the tangent of the chute intersection line L1 at the separation point P3 has an angle β with the up-down direction, and the angle α is less than the angle β.

[0076] According to this structure of the chute 31, the chute 31 will have a relatively steep upper part and a relatively gentle lower part. On the one hand, the relatively steep upper part can help the brewing powder or particles obtain a relatively large speed by gravity during the sliding process. On the other hand, the relatively gentle lower part can help reduce the angle between the speed direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute 31 and the front-back direction. Combining the effects of these two aspects, the brewing powder or particles will have a relatively large speed component in the front-back direction when leaving the chute 31, which can help raise the height of the impact point P1 on the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber 21 that is impacted by the brewing powder or particles, so as to help the brewing powder or particles stack approximately in the middle or at the rear in the front-back direction within the brewing chamber 21. The brewing powder or particles stacked in the middle in the front-back direction can make full use of the space within the brewing chamber 21, thus avoiding spilling outside the brewing chamber 21 due to excessive stacking. At the same time, the brewing powder or particles stacked in the middle in the front-back direction will not rely on the channel member 30, so they will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the removal of the channel member 30. At the same time, by stacking the brewing powder or particles in the middle in the front-back direction within the brewing chamber 21, it can help the compressed brewing powder or particles have a relatively uniform density, thereby helping the beverage obtain better quality. The brewing powder or particles stacked at the rear will not rely on the channel member 30, so they will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the removal of the channel member 30. In addition, considering that the slag pushing member 80 is located above the brewing cylinder 20 and surrounds the rear part of the brewing cylinder 20, this makes it so that even if the brewing powder or particles stacked at the rear are relatively high, they will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the presence of the slag pushing member.

[0077] It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the meaning of the term "tangent line" should be understood relatively broadly. For example, when the part of the chute intersection line L1 at the material dropping point P2 is a curved part, the tangent line at the material dropping point P2 can have the general meaning, that is, the tangent line at the material dropping point refers to a straight line that just touches the material dropping point P2; when the part of the chute intersection line L1 at the material dropping point P2 is a straight line part, the tangent line at the material dropping point P2 can refer to the straight line that coincides with this straight line part. Another example is that when the part of the chute intersection line L1 at the separation point P3 is a curved part, the tangent line at the separation point P3 can have the usual meaning, that is, the tangent line at the separation point P3 can refer to a straight line that just touches the separation point P3; when the part of the chute intersection line L1 at the separation point P3 is a straight line part, the tangent line at the separation point P3 can refer to the straight line that coincides with this straight line part.

[0078] Continue to refer to Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 4, the above-mentioned cutting plane and the inner surface of the brewing chamber 21 may have a brewing chamber intersection line L2, and the tangent of the chute intersection line L1 at the separation point P3 and the brewing chamber intersection line L2 may have an intersection point P4. The ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point P4 to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber may be less than or equal to one-third.

[0079] The tangent direction of the chute intersection line L1 at the separation point P3 determines the initial velocity direction of the brewing powder or particles when they leave the chute 31. Considering the influence of gravity, the impact point P1 of the brewing powder or particles will be slightly lower than the intersection point P4. Setting the height of the intersection point P4 higher, that is, setting the ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point P4 to the top of the brewing chamber 21 to the height H2 of the brewing chamber to be less than or equal to one-third, can help the impact point P1 obtain a higher position, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction within the brewing chamber 21.

[0080] Continue to refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4 , the chute intersection line L1 may include an arc portion L extending from or passing through the material dropping point P2 to the separation point P3 11 , the arc portion L 11 may be constructed to gradually bend backward as it goes downward.

[0081] According to this structure of the chute 31, the angle α between the tangent of the chute intersection line L1 at the material dropping point P2 and the vertical direction will be less than the angle β between the tangent of the chute intersection line L1 at the separation point P3 and the vertical direction. This can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction within the brewing chamber 21. In addition, this structure of the chute 31 makes the inner surface of the chute 31 continuous and smooth, which can help reduce the frictional resistance suffered by the brewing powder or particles during the sliding process, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to obtain a greater speed and reduce the risk of the brewing powder particles staying in the chute 31.

[0082] Continue to refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4 , the arc portion L 11 The curvature of can gradually increase as it goes downward. According to this structure of the chute, the upper part of the chute 31 will be steeper, which can help the brewing powder or particles to obtain a greater speed during the sliding process, and thus can help the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction within the brewing chamber 21.

[0083] Regarding the value of the included angle α, the present disclosure does not impose any special restrictions. As an example, the included angle α can be less than or equal to 30 degrees. In particular, more specifically, the included angle α can be 28 degrees. According to this range of values of the included angle α, the brewing powder or particles can smoothly slide downward after falling to the material dropping point and obtain a relatively large speed, thereby helping the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or towards the rear in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber.

[0084] Regarding the value of the included angle β, the present disclosure also does not impose any special restrictions. As an example, the included angle β can be greater than or equal to 40 degrees. More specifically, the included angle β can be 45 degrees. According to this range of values of the included angle β, it can help reduce the included angle between the velocity direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute and the front-rear direction, thereby helping the brewing powder or particles to stack approximately in the middle or towards the rear in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber.

[0085] Continuing to refer to 3A, Figure 3B and Figure 4 , the chute intersection line L1 can also include a straight portion L 12 . The arc portion L 11 can extend downward from the lower end of the straight portion L 12 . The straight portion L 12 can be configured to be inclined backward as it goes upward, and the included angle γ between the straight portion L 12 and the vertical direction can be greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees. The included angle γ between the straight portion L 12 and the lower direction can be less than or equal to 20 degrees.

[0086] The chute 31 having such a configuration has many advantages. On the one hand, according to this configuration of the chute 31, even if the brewing powder or particles fall on the part of the chute 31 corresponding to the straight portion L 12 , the brewing powder or particles can smoothly slide downward and obtain a relatively large speed. On the other hand, the relatively steep straight portion L 12 makes the connected arc portion L 11 also very steep, which can further help the brewing powder to obtain a large speed during the sliding process. On the other hand, during the process of the channel member 30 pivoting away from the upper piston 40, the part of the channel member 30 that defines the straight portion L 12 can form a rotating clearance space with the feeder 90, avoiding the feeder 90 from hindering the pivoting of the channel member 30.

[0087] Referring to Figure 5 , the chute 31 can be configured to gradually narrow in the width direction as it goes downward. For example, from Figure 5It can be seen that the width W1 at the higher position of the chute 31 is greater than the width W2 at the lower position. According to this structure of the chute 31, as the brewing powder or particles slide down in the chute 31, the brewing powder or particles will gather or concentrate under the guidance of the chute 31, which can help the brewing powder or particles slide smoothly into the brewing chamber 21 and reduce the risk of the brewing powder or particles spilling outside the brewing chamber 21. In addition, according to this structure of the chute 31, the sliding direction of the brewing powder or particles will fit as much as possible the diameter direction of the brewing cylinder 20, which helps the brewing powder or particles to be evenly distributed in the center.

[0088] The brewing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described by way of example above. Next, the brewing device according to a modified example of the present disclosure will be described by way of example. It can be understood that the brewing device according to the modified example of the present disclosure has many identical or similar elements to the brewing device 100. For the sake of simplicity, in the present disclosure, these identical or similar elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals to omit repeated description.

[0089] Referring to Figure 6 , in Modified Example 1 of the present disclosure, the chute 31a of the channel member 30a is configured such that the brewing powder or particles are stacked relatively backward in the front-rear direction within the brewing chamber 21. For example, by setting the angle β between the tangent line of the separation point P3 of the chute 31a and the vertical direction to be relatively large (for example, the angle β is greater than 45 degrees), and / or setting the intersection point P4 of the tangent line of the separation point P3 and the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber 21 to be relatively high (for example, the ratio H1 / H2 is less than or equal to one-fourth), the brewing powder or particles can be stacked relatively backward within the brewing chamber 21.

[0090] In Modified Example 1, the relatively backward stacked brewing powder or particles will not rely on the channel member 30a, and thus will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the removal of the channel member 30a. In addition, considering that the slag pushing member is located above the brewing cylinder 20 and surrounds the rear part of the brewing cylinder 20, even if the relatively backward stacked brewing powder or particles are relatively high, they will not spill outside the brewing chamber 21 due to the presence of the slag pushing member 80.

[0091] Referring to Figures 7A to 8 , in Modified Example 2, the chute 31b of the channel member 30b has a structure different from that of the chute 31 of the channel member 30 in the foregoing embodiment. Specifically, as Figure 8 shown, in Modified Example 2, the chute intersection line L 1b includes a first straight line segment L 11b and a second straight line segment L 12b , and the first straight line segment L 11b extends downward from the second straight line segment L 12b . The material dropping point P2 is located on the second straight line segment L 12bAbove, the angle α between the tangent line at the blanking point P2 and the vertical direction is the second straight line segment L 12b and the angle α with the vertical direction. The separation point P3 is located on the first straight line segment L 11b , and the angle β between the tangent line at the separation point P3 and the vertical direction is the angle β of the first straight line segment L 11b and the angle β with the vertical direction. Here, the angle α is less than the angle β.

[0092] According to this structure of the chute 31b, the chute 31b will have a relatively steep upper part and a relatively gentle lower part. On the one hand, the relatively steep upper part can help the brewing powder or particles obtain a relatively large speed by gravity during the sliding process. On the other hand, the relatively gentle lower part can help reduce the angle between the speed direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute 31b and the front-rear direction. Combining these two effects, the brewing powder or particles will have a relatively large speed component in the front-rear direction when leaving the chute 31b, which can help raise the height of the impact point P1 on the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber 21 that is impacted by the brewing powder or particles, so as to help the brewing powder or particles stack approximately in the middle or at the rear in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber 21.

[0093] Reference Figures 9A to 10 , in Modification 3, the chute 31c of the channel member 30c has a structure different from that of the chute 31 of the channel member 30 in the foregoing embodiment. Specifically, as Figure 10 shown, in Modification 3, the chute intersection line L 1c is a straight line segment L 1c . The blanking point P2 and the separation point P3 are both located on this straight line segment L1c. The angle α between the tangent line at the blanking point P2 and the vertical direction is the angle α of this straight line segment L 1c and the vertical direction. The angle β between the tangent line at the separation point P3 and the vertical direction is the angle β of this straight line segment L 1c and the vertical direction. Here, the angle α is equal to the angle β, which is equal to or greater than 40 degrees. In Modification 3, the initial velocity when the brewing powder or particles fall into the chute 31c can be set relatively large so that the brewing powder or particles have a large enough velocity when leaving the chute 31c. For example, the discharge port of the grinding device 200 can be arranged higher so that the brewing powder or particles obtain a large enough initial velocity by gravity before falling into the chute 31c.

[0094] According to the chute 31c provided in Modification 3, the angle β between the tangent line at the separation point P3 and the vertical direction is relatively large, that is, greater than or equal to 40 degrees, which can help reduce the angle between the speed direction of the brewing powder or particles when leaving the chute and the front-rear direction, so as to help the brewing powder or particles obtain a relatively high collision point, and further help the brewing powder or particles stack approximately in the middle or at the rear in the front-rear direction in the brewing chamber.

[0095] It should be noted that the present disclosure uses orientation concepts such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", and "width", and these orientation concepts are relative rather than absolute. When the beverage machine 1000 or the brewing device 100 provided by the present disclosure is in its usual placement posture, or when the beverage machine 1000 or the brewing device 100 provided by the present disclosure is in the posture shown in the figure, these orientation concepts may be applicable.

[0096] It should be noted that the various elements described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without conflict. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not separately describe various possible combination manners.

[0097] It should be understood that multiple components and / or parts can be provided by a single integrated component or part. Alternatively, a single integrated component or part can be divided into multiple separate components and / or parts. The disclosure of "a" or "an" used to describe a component or part is not intended to exclude other components or parts.

[0098] It should be understood that although terms such as "first" or "second" may be used in the present disclosure to describe various elements, these elements are not defined by these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0099] The protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure can think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A brewing device, which includes a frame and a brewing cylinder, a piston and a channel member that are directly or indirectly supported by the frame. An open-top brewing chamber is provided in the brewing cylinder. By the relative movement between the brewing cylinder and the piston, the piston can extend into the brewing chamber from the upper end thereof to close the brewing chamber. The channel member is provided with a chute, and the chute guides the brewing powder or granules to slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber. A liquid flows through the brewing powder or granules located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage, and is characterized in that: The brewing device has a width direction that is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction. A cross-sectional plane that is orthogonal to the width direction and roughly passes through the middle of the brewing chamber has a chute intersection line with the inner surface of the chute. During the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or granules land at a feeding point of the chute and leave the chute at a separation point. The angle α between the tangent of the chute intersection line at the feeding point and the up-down direction is smaller than the angle β between the tangent of the chute intersection line at the separation point and the up-down direction.

2. The brewing device according to claim 1, wherein The cross-sectional plane has a brewing chamber intersection line with the inner surface of the brewing chamber. The tangent of the chute intersection line at the separation point has an intersection point with the brewing chamber intersection line. The ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber is less than or equal to one-third.

3. The brewing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The chute intersection line includes an arc portion that extends from or passes through the feeding point to the separation point, and the arc portion is configured to gradually bend backward as it goes downward.

4. The brewing device according to claim 3, wherein, The curvature of the arc portion gradually increases as it goes downward.

5. The brewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The angle α is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

6. The brewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The angle β is greater than or equal to 40 degrees.

7. The brewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The chute intersection line further includes a straight portion, and the arc portion extends downward from the lower end of the straight portion. The straight portion is configured to incline forward as it goes upward, and the angle γ between the straight portion and the up-down direction is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

8. The brewing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The brewing device further includes a feeder, and the feeder has a feeding channel that guides the brewing powder or granules to fall into the chute. The channel member is pivotally mounted on the feeder so as to be able to pivot away from the piston.

9. The brewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The chute is configured to gradually narrow in the width direction as it goes downward.

10. A brewing device, comprising a brewing cylinder and a channel member. A brewing chamber with an open upper end is provided in the brewing cylinder. The channel member is provided with a chute, and the chute guides brewing powder or granules to slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber. Liquid flows through the brewing powder or granules located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage, characterized in that, The chute is configured such that the brewing powder or granules are stacked approximately in the middle or at the back in the front-back direction in the brewing chamber.

11. The brewing device according to claim 10, wherein, The brewing device has a width direction that is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction. A cross-sectional plane that is orthogonal to the width direction and roughly passes through the middle of the brewing chamber has a chute intersection line with the inner surface of the chute, and the cross-sectional plane has a brewing chamber intersection line with the inner surface of the brewing chamber. During the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or granules leave the chute at a separation point. The tangent of the chute intersection line at the separation point has an intersection point with the brewing chamber intersection line. The ratio H1 / H2 of the distance H1 from the intersection point to the top of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber is less than or equal to one-third.

12. The brewing device according to claim 11, wherein During the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding down into the brewing chamber, the brewing powder or granules land at the material dropping point of the chute and leave the chute at the separation point; the intersection line of the chute includes an arc portion extending from or through the material dropping point to the separation point, and the arc portion is configured to gradually bend backward as it goes downward.

13. The brewing device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The curvature of the arc portion gradually increases as it goes downward.

14. A brewing device, comprising a brewing cylinder and a channel member. An open-topped brewing chamber is provided inside the brewing cylinder. The channel member is provided with a chute which guides brewing powder or granules to slide downward and backward into the brewing chamber. A liquid flows through the brewing powder or granules located in the closed brewing chamber to make a beverage, characterized in that, During the process of the brewing powder or granules sliding down into the brewing chamber, the rear part of the inner surface of the brewing chamber has an impact point impacted by the brewing powder or granules, and the ratio H3 / H2 of the distance H3 from the impact point to the top end of the brewing chamber to the height H2 of the brewing chamber is less than or equal to one-third.

15. A beverage machine, characterized in that, The beverage machine includes the brewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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